For years I've been saying that my music collection was my art. And while that statement might be a bit high-handed, the fact of the matter is that my collection does say a lot about who I am. So in a way, this blog is going to be my form of self-expression. My hope is that along the way I turn a few people onto some cool new sounds. Enjoy the ride and please feel free to leave comments.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

After 2 years (Happy Birthday "Time On My Hands") I received my first DMCA takedown notice and I've got to admit, it has taken some of the wind out of my sails. I have no objection or issue with Blogger for taking down the offending post. That is their right and even their responsibility. If some musician, songwriter, publisher or label thinks that by having a song posted on this blog will hurt then in any way (although for the life of me I can't imagine why) it is their right to tell me to remove it. No problem there. In fact there are some artists who are known for not wanting their music posted who I like very much and I deliberately avoid them. "Time On My Hands" has always been about presenting music that may otherwise go unheard or be ignored in a different context than what may otherwise be expected. Nothing more and nothing less. If someone doesn't want to be a part of that I certainly respect their wishes. I believe I have made that clear from the beginning.

What does bother me however is that after more than a month (my takedown notice was dated Sept. 15) I still have no idea what song it was that somebody objected to. There is a site that is supposed to contain this information (http://www.chillingeffects.org/search.cgi) but so far I have not been able to find any info on my particular takedown. Looking over my post I see nobody who really has much (if anything) to lose by having the 150 or so people who normally download any particular post"stealing" their song. But what I do see is a really great set list (if I say so myself) filled with songs that I really wanted to share that will go unheard by a hundred or so people who might really appreciate them and maybe even be motivated to go out and buy something by one of the artists involved. As the lyric to a song whose title I've forgotten goes "It ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it" that bothers me.

In other news, I wasn't too upset about Texas beating my beloved Yankees in the playoffs this year. What surprised me more than anything was that the Yanks managed to win 2 games against a team that was obviously superior to them in just abut every way. This year the Yankees simply ran out of gas. I've not seen any statistics but it seems that since the All-Star break they barely played over .500. As far as I am concerned, the better team won and more power to them.

This Tuesday is Election Day and it looks as if the Democrats are going to take a beating. While things are slightly better than they were 2 years ago many people are disappointed that President Obama hasn't been able to accomplish more and despite the fact that they were the main cause of that, the Republicans are poised to take full advantage. This may prove to be a good thing for President Obama for 2012. If the Republicans take control of one or both houses of Congress this year and by 2012 times are still as tough as they are now for so many Amerricans, Republican politicians will have nobody to blame but themselves. I too have to admit some disappointment with the Obama administration. I still think he is a brilliant man with some great ideas but I think he perhaps could have been better prepared for the level of opposition he faced. But the fact remains that if he were running again today I would still vote for him.

Big Maybelle - One Monkey Don't Stop No Show

Including this one, I can think of at least three really terrific songs with the title "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show", the other two being by The Honeycones and The Animals. But Big Maybelle was the first and from the sound of this I'm guessing it was recorded in the mid-50's.

Ducks Deluxe - Coast To Coast

When I first got into Punk Rock, somewhere near the end of 1977 I started reading magazines like NY Rocker and Trouser Press religiously. It was in the latter where I first read about Ducks Deluxe and when I found their album with the blue background on the cover in an import bin I fell in love with this song. Hard to believe this was recorded in 1974 when singer songwriters reigned supreme.

Lesley Gore - That's The Way Boys Are

With songs like this one and "You Don't own Me" LG displayed a maturity that many of us (this writer certainly) lacked at that younger more innocent age when "...Boys.." was blasting out of AM transistor radio speakers.

Neil Young - Rockin' In the Free World

For me, after "Harvest" many of Neil's albums were hit or miss affairs. Total brilliance one minute and virtually unlistenable the next. "Rockin'..." has always been one of my favorites.

Tammi Lynn - Mojo Hanna

This could only have been recorded in New Orleans. Listen to that incredible drumming by, I'm guessing, the incomparable Earl Palmer.

Mouse And The Traps - Lie Beg Borrow And Steal

In their time (mid-60's) these guys released a handful of singles on the Fraternity label. This one and "Maid of Sugar..." are their best and are considered classics today by Garage fans everywhere.

Eddie Bond - Don't Tear Me Up

Listening to this I can hear where artists like Dwight Yoakam and Deke Dickerson may have found some of their own inspiration.

Roger McGuinn - Anna

Like many of us who came of age in the 1960's I'm willing to bet that Roger first heard "Anna" on the "Introducing the Beatles" album. And just like John Lennon's, Roger's voice is the perfect vehicle for "Anna's" melancholia and wistfullness.

The Byrds - She Don't Care About Time

When I was 14 and in 9th grade I remember buying "Turn Turn Turn" on a Columbia 45 and playing it over and over for at least an hour. Finally I turned the record over and was quite pleasantly surprised to find "She Don't..." waiting for me on the flip.

The Hi-Risers - Wild Romance

I love these guys! I've always been a huge power pop fan and The Hi-Risers do it as well as anyone and better than most. Upbeat and perky it's virtually impossible to feel sad when these guys are playing. I saw them a few months ago at Maxwell's in Hoboken NJ opening up for The Trashmen and they're just as much fun live as they are on record. They've got a whole slew of songs just as fabulous as this one so check out their myspace page to hear more.

Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes - I Don't Want to Go Home

Anyone who has ever sat in a bar at 3 AM still searching for that potential love of their life or just someone to help keep the loneliness at bay for a few more hours will certainly be able to relate to Johnny's tale of woe.

The Scorpions - Hey Honey

When you mention Dutchbeat to fans of the genre, right away most folks think of The Outsiders and Q65. But, like music scenes everywhere, there were many many other bands involved who were not quite as well known. Meet The Scorpions.

Vicki Anderson - No More Heartaches No More Pain

I haven't updated my "Way to Go" section in awhile but when I do I will certainly include a link to the incredible "Derek's Daily 45" site which is where I first heard this fiery little gem. I've been visiting them for close to a year now and have lost count of how many times I've gone straight from there to Gemm Music or Ebay to add another amazing 45 to my collection.

The Wanderer's Rest - Don't Know What I'd Do

From the wilds of Milwaukee, Wisconsin The Wanderer's Rest released a handful of 45's before fading into obscurity. Virtually their entire recorded legacy is available on"Garagemental: The Cuca Records Story Vol. 2"on Ace/Big Beat.

The Lolas - Ballerina Breakout

I'm not sure where I first heard of these guys - most likely one of the numerous power pop blogs around - but their CDs have been out of print long enough for them to be fetching fairly substantial prices on places like Amazon, Gemm Music and Ebay. But I liked what I heard enough to warrant shelling out for pretty much their whole output including some Japanese CDs with bonus tracks.

Charles Mingus - East Coasting (Take 4)

Like Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus is reknown as much for his musical compositions as he is for being a bandleader and musician. Although I have read that he was a very angry man at times I hear a distinct sense of humor and playfulness in his music. "East Coasting" was recorded fairly early in his career in 1957.

About Me

Although I am posting 'free' music on here, my intention is to present some of my favorite records and artists in a context that may be somewhat different than the norm, hopefully displaying a different aspect to their music than what may otherwise be instantly recognizable. I think of this blog the same way I thought of the mixed tapes that I used to make. My desire is to promote the music and not to encourage 'stealing' it. However, if you wish me to remove any of your music from my posts, please leave a comment and I will do so.